Roy Schmidt is an American former politician. He served several terms as a member of the Grand Rapids, Michigan City Commission, and two terms as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives representing the 76th district, which includes part of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. He retired from politics after losing re-election following a change of parties and controversial campaign activities.
Beginning in the late 1980s, Schmidt was active in the West Grand Neighborhood Organization, becoming a board member and later president.[1] Schmidt served 16 years as one of two non-partisan commissioners for Grand Rapids' 1st ward, representing the city's northwest side.
He was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2008 as a conservative Democrat, and was re-elected in 2010. In 2012, after fund-raising as a Democrat,[2] he quietly changed parties and filed to run for re-election as a Republican, 10 minutes before the filing deadline.[3] Meanwhile, Schmidt's son offered family friend Matt Mojzak $1000 to take Schmidt's place as the only Democratic candidate on the ballot, but not campaign. Mojzak filed, but when the scheme became public knowledge, growing scrutiny forced him to abandon his "candidacy".[4] Schmidt won the Republican primary, but lost the general election to Winnie Brinks, who had run as a write-in Democratic candidate in response to Schmidt's change of party.[5] Schmidt and state house speaker Jase Bolger were investigated by the Michigan State Police for potential fraud.[6]Kent County Prosecutor Bill Forsyth condemned the scheme as a "travesty" that should not have been allowed to happen, but no charges were filed.[7] Schmidt subsequently apologized for his role in the scheme, saying he had made "a dumb political decision."[8][9][2]
Personal lifeedit
Schmidt earned a BBA from Aquinas College. He and his wife Donna have three children.[10] He is Roman Catholic.[1]
In 2016, Schmidt pleaded "no contest" to a charge of growing marijuana for sale; police had confiscated three pounds of marijuana and 71 plants at one of his two homes. He dropped his initial defense that he was acting under the state's "medical marijuana" law, and admitted that he had been supplying "no more than 20" customers who were not his patients. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail and two years of probation.[11]
^"Three ways Rep. Roy Schmidt may have violated campaign finance rules". MLive.com. Retrieved 2018-07-27.
^"Bill Forsyth: Roy Schmidt election scheme is a 'travesty'". MLive.com. Retrieved 2018-07-27.
^"Grand Rapids lawmaker changes parties to GOP | Politics - Home". archive.fo. 2012-07-23. Archived from the original on 2012-07-23. Retrieved 2019-09-20.
^"Michigan Republican Speaker Jase Bolger: 'We would not have beaten Roy Schmidt'". MLive.com. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
^. Michigan House Democrats. Archived from the original on October 9, 2010. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
^Reens, Nate (1 October 2015). "Former state Rep. Roy Schmidt's marijuana conviction earns 45 days in jail". WWMT-TV. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
External linksedit
Vote Smart bio of Schmidt
December 15, 2023
schmidt, politician, schmidt, american, former, politician, served, several, terms, member, grand, rapids, michigan, city, commission, terms, member, michigan, house, representatives, representing, 76th, district, which, includes, part, grand, rapids, metropol. Roy Schmidt is an American former politician He served several terms as a member of the Grand Rapids Michigan City Commission and two terms as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives representing the 76th district which includes part of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area He retired from politics after losing re election following a change of parties and controversial campaign activities Roy SchmidtMember of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 76th districtIn office January 1 2009 January 1 2013Succeeded byWinnie BrinksPersonal detailsBorn 1953 09 04 September 4 1953 age 70 Grand Rapids MichiganPolitical partyDemocratic until 2012 Republican since 2012 SpouseDonnaContents 1 Career 2 Personal life 3 References 4 External linksCareer editBeginning in the late 1980s Schmidt was active in the West Grand Neighborhood Organization becoming a board member and later president 1 Schmidt served 16 years as one of two non partisan commissioners for Grand Rapids 1st ward representing the city s northwest side He was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2008 as a conservative Democrat and was re elected in 2010 In 2012 after fund raising as a Democrat 2 he quietly changed parties and filed to run for re election as a Republican 10 minutes before the filing deadline 3 Meanwhile Schmidt s son offered family friend Matt Mojzak 1000 to take Schmidt s place as the only Democratic candidate on the ballot but not campaign Mojzak filed but when the scheme became public knowledge growing scrutiny forced him to abandon his candidacy 4 Schmidt won the Republican primary but lost the general election to Winnie Brinks who had run as a write in Democratic candidate in response to Schmidt s change of party 5 Schmidt and state house speaker Jase Bolger were investigated by the Michigan State Police for potential fraud 6 Kent County Prosecutor Bill Forsyth condemned the scheme as a travesty that should not have been allowed to happen but no charges were filed 7 Schmidt subsequently apologized for his role in the scheme saying he had made a dumb political decision 8 9 2 Personal life editSchmidt earned a BBA from Aquinas College He and his wife Donna have three children 10 He is Roman Catholic 1 In 2016 Schmidt pleaded no contest to a charge of growing marijuana for sale police had confiscated three pounds of marijuana and 71 plants at one of his two homes He dropped his initial defense that he was acting under the state s medical marijuana law and admitted that he had been supplying no more than 20 customers who were not his patients He was sentenced to 45 days in jail and two years of probation 11 References edit a b Legislator Details Legislators mdoe state mi us Retrieved 2018 07 27 a b Nate Reens July 17 2012 Roy Schmidt admits lying about election shenanigans in interview I knew this was wrong MLive Rep Roy Schmidt leaves Dems joins GOP WOOD TV Retrieved May 15 2012 Truth Squad issues flagrant foul to Schmidt foul to Bolger on election scheme 2012 07 24 Retrieved 2018 07 27 Macomb Daily January 21 2013 Three ways Rep Roy Schmidt may have violated campaign finance rules MLive com Retrieved 2018 07 27 Bill Forsyth Roy Schmidt election scheme is a travesty MLive com Retrieved 2018 07 27 Grand Rapids lawmaker changes parties to GOP Politics Home archive fo 2012 07 23 Archived from the original on 2012 07 23 Retrieved 2019 09 20 Michigan Republican Speaker Jase Bolger We would not have beaten Roy Schmidt MLive com Retrieved 21 December 2014 Roy Schmidt Michigan House Democrats Archived from the original on October 9 2010 Retrieved January 21 2011 Reens Nate 1 October 2015 Former state Rep Roy Schmidt s marijuana conviction earns 45 days in jail WWMT TV Retrieved 23 May 2016 External links editVote Smart bio of Schmidt Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Roy Schmidt politician amp oldid 1172613270, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
